August 5, 2025

University of Tennessee Knoxville Opens Applications for Fall 2026

News Summary

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville has opened applications for the Fall 2026 semester, with high school seniors encouraged to apply early. This year, the university is experiencing a surge in applications and offers options like Early Action and Regular Admission. The competitive environment is marked by decreasing acceptance rates and a notable increase in applicants, with opportunities for undecided students through an exploratory program. UTK maintains stable tuition costs and boasts a high retention rate, signaling a commitment to student success.

KNOXVILLE – The University of Tennessee at Knoxville (UTK) has opened applications for the Fall 2026 academic semester, beginning on August 1. As schools gear up for the college application season, UTK is experiencing a surge in interest, evident from a record-breaking influx of applications in recent years.

High school seniors are encouraged to apply early through two options: Early Action and Regular Admission. The deadlines for Early Action submissions are set for November, and applicants can expect acceptance notifications by the end of the year. Early applicants also have the opportunity to apply for University Honors programs and may qualify for guaranteed admissions, provided they meet specific criteria. The deadline for Regular Admission applications is January 2026, with decisions communicated by March 2026. Students looking to enroll for the spring 2026 semester must submit applications by December 15.

In recent years, the competition to gain admission has intensified. UTK’s acceptance rate plummeted from 68.4% for the Fall 2022 semester to approximately 38.3% for Fall 2025. This drop is accompanied by an impressive swell in applicants, rising to 60,515 for Fall 2025, leading to 23,187 students being admitted.

To apply, students are required to complete a “Self-Reported Transcript and Academic Record,” detailing their high school grades and transcripts. UTK employs a rigorous weighted core GPA calculation based on specific academic courses in subjects including English, math, science, history, foreign language, and arts. Additionally, the university uses a super-scoring method for standardized tests, which considers the highest scores from each applicant’s attempts at either the ACT or SAT.

For the most competitive applicants in Fall 2025, a typical profile included a GPA of 4.0 or higher, with ACT scores ranging between 27 and 32 or SAT equivalent scores of 1275 to 1430. The application process incurs a nonrefundable fee of $75 for first-time applicants, with fee waivers available for qualifying students. Certain local high schools, such as Austin-East, Central, and Fulton in Knoxville, allow students to apply free of charge.

UTK also caters to undecided students through its “University Exploratory Program,” enabling them to explore various academic fields before declaring a major, which must occur after the student has earned 45 college credit hours. The university’s guaranteed admissions policy benefits top-performing high school students across all UT System campuses.

Despite economic challenges, UTK has managed to maintain stable tuition costs since 2020, although several mandatory fees have increased. For the full academic year, in-state tuition stands at approximately $35,502, while out-of-state tuition is about $54,946. UTK’s enrollment has hit a record of 38,728 students for Fall 2024, signaling a growth trend, with hopes to surpass 40,000 students in the upcoming semester.

The first-year retention rate is notably high, at 91.9%, indicating that most students choose to continue their education at UTK into their sophomore year. Recent figures show that the four-year graduation rate has also reached a record high of 62%, with a six-year graduation rate of 74%. These statistics reflect positively on the university’s commitment to student success.

In 2025, UTK was ranked 52nd among the top public universities in the U.S., earning accolades particularly for its nuclear engineering and supply chain management programs. The university continues to focus on ongoing research initiatives aimed at improving rankings and enhancing student outcomes.

With all these developments, UTK thrives as a competitive choice for prospective students, promising growth in its academic ventures and student services.

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Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER

The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.

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